How to Create your own Personalised Cross-Reference System in your Bible

Share this:

Colour Coding Your Bible Highlighting
Most of us highlight passages of scripture in our Bibles. If you’re like me, you might even write notes in the side margins. I’ve always just used the first highlighter pen that came to hand; the colour of the highlighter pen didn’t matter too much as long as the verse was highlighted for future reference. But over the past year, I’ve started using specific colours to highlight certain topics.For example:Green– Whenever I read a passage of scripture where God speaks, either to an individual or a group of people. I now have dozens upon dozens – and growing daily- of green highlighted paragraphs in my Bible, which boosts my own faith, reminding me that God speaks to us.Yellow – to highlight all the Old Testament prophesies about Jesus. And their ‘matching’ fulfilment references in the New Testament.Pink to highlight the Attributes of God, to remind me frequently of His incredible, incomparable character, and loving nature.Orange for faith – exhortations to have faith,Pale blue for the peace of God,Darker blue for God’s enabling strength/power (in us)
And so on.. it doesn’t matter what colours you use, as long as you’re consistent so that you don’t confuse yourself. If you have an old, well loved Bible, that’s been highlighted till there are hardly any white spaces left, it’s never too late to start with a brand new one!
What started as a try-out exercise for me has now become an important part of my Bible reading; it’s created a kind of personalised cross-reference system, that’s still growing, throughout my Bible.
And it’s been so much more than just a practical study tip for me, it’s exciting watching this ‘pattern’ of colour grow, almost like the pieces of a jigsaw falling into place.
It reminds me again and again that the Word of God truly is alive!
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

Thanks Lois 😊 Yes that happens quite often. I usually just use the two appropriate colours. Or, another thing you can do is highlight the main body of the text in your chosen colour, and then outline it in another. Depending on the context and what you’re trying to highlight, to remember later. Does that make sense? 😊